I recently had the privilege of being selected as a Global Voices Scholar and Australian Delegate to the 2018 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum in Paris, France.
To sum up my experience in a nutshell, it was insightful, engaging and inspiring. On top of leaving this OECD experience with unique exposure to areas such as foreign policy, international affairs, global trade and economics, I left learning more about myself and the kind of life I wish to create.
I was recently fortunate enough to be selected as a Global Voices Scholar, and Australian Youth Delegate, to the World Bank & IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC later this year. Ahead of the delegation, I travelled to Canberra for three days of pre-departure briefings and meetings with Australian think-tanks, diplomats, MPs and senior policy-makers. This provided an opportunity not only to meet with senior officials and to receive input and advice on my policy research, but provided a chance to gain a deeper insight into the inner workings of various government departments, and to better understand Australia’s role and priorities at the World Bank and IMF.
Earlier this year, I was awarded a scholarship from Global Voices, a not-for-profit that funds student delegations to conferences worldwide. I will be attending the OECD conference in Paris this June, and have recently returned from preliminary meetings in Canberra. This blog post presents my thoughts on those recent Canberra meetings.
Me, in front of Parliament House (11/05/17)
Over September and October this year, I had the incredible privilege of representing QUT through a Global Voices research fellowship, travelling to the World Bank and IMF Annual meetings in Washington, D.C.
The fellowship had three components: a research paper, pre-departure briefings, and the official meetings. I learned valuable lessons in each phase, but one takeaway in particular stood out to me: the importance of clear, concise communication.
I realise for a Public Relations student this principle should be obvious, but seeing this in action, on an international level, has shown it to be more important than ever.
When I found out that Global Voices was taking me to Paris and I would have the chance to be among some of the most intelligent and innovative policy experts in the world, well I couldn’t refuse, could I? After embracing the cliché Parisian fashion of gorging on bread and wearing berets—oh, and of course trying escargot—I found myself at a chateau for the annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forum. It’s a tough life, I know.
It’s not every day you get a personal invite to the Governor-General’s house for tea or to brush shoulders with former parliamentary ministers. However, it was all part of my experience as a Global Voices youth delegate when attending pre-departure briefings in Canberra, ahead of my OECD forum in Paris.
Tooting horns, men having their shoes shined and flashes of colour dominating the city.
Lima is a place of festivity, passion and oh so good food. Yet behind this atmosphere, some serious discussions were taking place.
